Tag Archives: hydropower

Nouveau Monde files US patent for thermochemical purification anode tech

Energy minerals, Metallurgy, Mineral processing, Power supply for mines, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Nouveau Monde Graphite has submitted a patent application for its proprietary thermochemical purification technology to the US Patent and Trademark Office that could see it gain intellectual property over a “greener” and more sustainable alternative process to that currently used in the traditional anode material production.

Leveraging Québec’s abundant, clean and affordable hydropower, the company’s technology avoids using hydrofluoric acid in favour of high temperatures and the addition of chlor-based reagent, it says.

Tests in labs and at third-party facilities have already demonstrated the technology’s performance and the products’ high purity, reaching 99.95% and over, according to the company.

Its Phase 1 purification facilities are in the final stages of commissioning, prior to starting production, process optimisation and material qualification with potential customers. At the same time, Nouveau Monde is carrying out its definitive feasibility study for the Phase 2 plant in Bécancour, Quebec, Canada.

The company’s 200,000 sq.m industrial site, adjacent to the Phase 1 location, is intended to consolidate manufacturing facilities for the production of 42,000 t/y of lithium-ion battery anode material and 3,000 t/y of purified flakes for specialty applications. The plant will process material from the Matawinie mine.

In addition to energy applications, Nouveau Monde’s thermochemical process has shown to be effective at purifying larger particle sizes that are expected to allow the company to supply high-purity, carbon-neutral graphite flakes for bipolar plates used in fuel cells, foils for heat dissipation in electronics, expandable graphite for fire retardant applications and other specialty products, it said.

Arne H Frandsen, Chairman of Nouveau Monde, said: “Research and development is a critical component of our business model. The filing of this important patent application is a tangible manifestation of our commitment to sustainable development and the success Nouveau Monde has already achieved from its Center of Excellence in Québec.”

Eric Desaulniers, Founder, President and CEO of Nouveau Monde, added: “I believe there is much appetite in the marketplace for alternatives to China’s dominant chemical-heavy processes. We have developed a technology that takes full advantage of Québec’s green hydroelectric asset and operates in a closed loop with our chemical supplier to minimise the environmental footprint of our purified products. This patent application reiterates our engagement towards R&D, innovation, and environmental stewardship to drive greater sustainability into the battery value chain.”

Fortescue Future Industries to investigate Indonesia’s hydro, geothermal power potential

Environmental, Mining services, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , , ,

Fortescue Future Industries has signed its second hydropower agreement in a week, with the Fortescue Metals Group subsidiary agreeing with the Government of Indonesia on a pact that allows it priority to investigate projects using the country’s hydropower and geothermal resources for ‘green’ industrial operations.

This comes on top of the government and Minderoo Foundation, a company chaired by Fortescue Metals Chairman, Andrew Forrest, signing a letter of intent to dramatically reduce plastic pollution in Indonesia’s coastal waters by 2025.

The Deed of Agreement provides first priority to Fortescue Future Industries to conduct development studies into the feasibility of projects using Indonesia’s hydropower and geothermal resources to support green industrial operations, principally for export to global markets, it said.

Subject to the completion of feasibility studies and approvals, individual projects will be developed by Fortescue Future Industries with ownership and project finance sources to be separately secured without recourse to Fortescue.

This follows a similar green hydropower agreement with the PNG government, signed recently.

“Fortescue Future Industries is underpinned by Fortescue’s world-class expertise, operational excellence and proven capability to drive future growth,” the company said. “Fortescue is a values-based business, committed to investing in the long-term sustainability of its core business while pursuing growth and development and delivering returns to shareholders.”

The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment of the Republic of Indonesia, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, said: “Indonesia and Fortescue Future Industries have entered into a preliminary binding agreement to assess the development of Indonesia’s substantial renewable power to drive green industries.”

Minister Luhut and Fortescue’s Forrest said in a joint statement: “The establishment of totally new and future large-scale industries will drive growth in Indonesia’s economy.”

Forrest added: “We have historically always enriched our organisation by providing training for guaranteed employment to local communities who have then strongly supported the projects we have developed together. We expect the new green industries in Indonesia to substantially diversify, broaden and deepen Indonesia’s already skilled workforce.”

Minister Luhut commented: “For too many decades, proposals have been thrust upon Indonesia that rely on the Indonesian people assuming the full financial risk through the purchase of electricity at prices that underwrote these developments. This agreement allows Fortescue Future Industries to access all the major hydropower and geothermal opportunities in Indonesia and establish downstream value adding industry to fully utilise the power created from sustainable energy sites.”

Meanwhile, through a joint partnership with the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, Minderoo Foundation will pilot its ‘Sea The Future’ initiative in Indonesia to scale up recycling and waste collection infrastructure and operations. Sea The Future is a coalition of leading companies in the plastics industry committed to ending plastic leakage to nature and accelerating the transition to a circular plastics economy, according to Fortescue.

Fortescue to evaluate green hydropower opportunities in PNG

Environmental, Power supply for mines, Sustainable mining, , , , , ,

Fortescue Metals Group’s Fortescue Future Industries Pty Ltd has signed an agreement with the Papua New Guinea Government and wholly-owned corporation, Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd (KCH), that could lead to the development of PNG’s hydropower resources to support ‘green’ industrial operations.

Under the deed, the parties will promptly investigate the feasibility of these green projects for both domestic and export markets, a move Fortescue says is consistent with its record of delivering both capital growth and yield to its shareholders while sharing the benefits of sustainable development and employment with local communities.

KCH is the entity which holds in trust, the Papua New Guinea government’s non-petroleum and non-mining assets.

“Fortescue Future Industries shares Fortescue’s commitment to a green industry future and will work closely with local people and communities to establish training and long-term careers,” the company said. “This is fully aligned with Fortescue’s approach from its inception that the communities in which we operate will benefit from our growth and development.”

Subject to the completion of feasibility studies and approvals, individual projects will be developed by Fortescue Future Industries with ownership and project finance sources to be separately secured without recourse to Fortescue, the company explained.

“Execution of studies and approach to capital investment will be consistent with Fortescue’s track record of developing multi-billion dollar projects in the Pilbara, at an industry leading capital intensity,” it added.

(Pictured above is the Warangoi Hydropower Station in East New Britain, PNG, operated by PNG Power)